The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-04
"REMINISCENCES OF SAKE.
Anecdotes and Incidents illustrating the
Genial Nature of tho Dead Humorist.


Anecdotes and Incidents Illustrating the
Genial Nature of tho Dead Humorist.
Mary Reese. in the Kansas tity Journal.
1t was many years ago before domestic caam-
ity ana bad health had set their indelible marks
on his gigantic frame. that John g. SAKE, then
at the height of his fame as poet and lecturer.
used TO visit Kentucky and xds of
fun-oving folk in the land Of tobacco and whisky.
HIS tall, heavy figure with its slightly gro
tesane stoop and loose, uncertain gait, made
an impression on my youthful mind never to be
erased.
1t was his custom in those days to make our
roomy old red brick home his headquarters. and
to appear, carpet satchel in hand. at uncanny
hours-an unexpected but welcome guest
Never happy in matters of toilet. he was es-
pecialy comical in his badly fitting travelling
clothes, with his collar crumpled and his cravat
awry; still. seen at midnight disadvantage after
afatiguing journey. he SAKE, the humorist,
with ready anecdote and ability to keep even our
infant eyes wide open.
PASSIONS tey fond of young people. he allowed
US unlimited playfe,low privileges crawling on
a.lfours for our amusement. allowing us to in
vestlgate his abundant beard and to play with
the Jewelry which he was so fond of wearing.
In our sports with him he not infrequently held
abort my sister and myself, one each hand,
tossing us great girls of ten or Whereabouts, as
easily as if we were ball and bat OF his own
children he never tired of talking; of gentle
Laura. whom even the balmy air of Florida
/ could not snatch from the family destroyer
consumption; of Sarah his counterpart, whose
/ brief life gave promise of remarkable gifts.
! Miss Sarah was certainly her fathers idol al
though she lived perpetually in defiance of his
most cherished plans for her benefit. Two in
cldents Mr.. SAKE was fond of telling as illustra-
tive OF her force of will and independence Of
character
1t was the custom of the SAKE family to spend
the warmest part of the summer at Saratoga,
that watering place being enough to AL
bany. their home, to make their sojourn there
feasible. 1t was decided one particular summer
IA SarAh ch011A 81 k0v,,o rcho oF
the younger children instead of accompanying
her parents, as had been her former custom.
rms decision reused the wrath of the young
| lady, and awakened all that latent obstinacy
| which her father claimed for her; in vain she
reconstructed: her best clothing was put under
lock and key, and her parents departed. charg-
| ing her to be a good girl and to content herself
| till their return. The at its
height, and many persons brilliantly
| conspicuous in literary circles were
gathered under the flashing of the water
| ngplace chandeliers. SAKE held his court at
one end of the salon that August evening, and
| sat conveniently facing the entrance door, when
aservant announced Miss SAKE" The poet raised
his eyeglass to behold Sarah, miss of sixteen,
| haughtily sweeping down the grand parlors,
dragging after her her mothers best winter
gown of velvet, and glittering with her mothers
rrnkets. Ii was warm work enduring that
heavy, oppressive fnerv, but for three days
father and daughter held there their indie
pendent little court at the famous watering
place. each ignoring the others presence-a clear
case of Greek meet Greek" AT the end of
that time Sarah was ANONYMOUSLY taken home
by her father and duly punished.
| few years after the incident related, lovers
began to seek Miss SAKE, and to aspire matri-
monialiy toward that high-strung young lady.
OF course SAKE was fastidious. and the youth
of Albany frequently Quailed beneath his pierre
ing and scornful words. At length found
favor with Sarah and was encouraged to come
after the father had peremptorily closed the
door in his face. Letters were intercepted and
INF a If war load al in
lerceness to the famous of the roses; the
father commanded the daughter defed. and the
timid youth was met by stealth, admitted
through the basement door, and seen at all pos
sible risks. Finally, day, supposing her
father to be safely out of town, Sarah admitted
her lover to the drawing-room. expecting the
course of her true love to smooth. Unex-
pectedly, however, the poet appeared upon the
scene and eXpediated the sudden departure of
the frighteu youth by judicious application
of the toe OF his boot The lover could never
be induced to court again. even surreptitiously.
One marked popularity of Sarah was her dislike
of being designated as John G. Saxe's daugh-
ter" title not infrequently applied to her, and
as frequently corrected by Excuse me, Miss
SAKE"
In his palmy lecturing days Mr.. SAKE was
much lonized in Kentucky, and specially
Indifferent to the indiscriminate winning and
dining" with which he was beset; not infreQuent-
IL would he join our little freside circle having
abruptly left the company gathered for his
special benefit. Then it was that we enjoyed
the full force OF his genius listened to his ready
wit and heard recited his most famous poems as
only the author can render them. l see now
upon the walls of my memory picture of the
colossal poet. standing. one foot resting on the
seat of chair. with his muscular arms crossed
upon the back of another, reciting, between the
delicate puffs of his Havana. Bond Slave to ON
phalia Fond Slave to Omphalia the Naughty
Lyban Queen" He was sentimental even at
fifty and more fond of reciting his love
poems than the celebrated efforts of
his genius. 1 remember his telling how, in
going with his wife from Albany to New York,
he was fascinated by female face which drew
forth from him of his tenderest sonnets.
'sThat fragment cost me $40" he significantly
remarked to US. 1.-The price of Mrs Saxes French
bonnet, purchased Immediately after arrival
in New York"
He an especial admirer o. small women
this Hercules and indicted many a rhythmic
verse to the ruby lips of some slight lady whose
charms attracted him in his frequent wander
ings His wife was small that she easily
wbirled her heel while standing under his
outstretched arm. Mr.. SAKE and his brother
James married sisters, daughters of Judg.
. Soaee, prominent lawyer of Vermont Til,
ladies inherited consumption from their mother
and transmitted it fatally to their children
Laura. Sarah and John L. have all followed
their mother to the land from which there is n
returning